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Not many people can resist the urge to have some fun in the water. Towable tubes are a safe way for thrill-seekers to enjoy hours of fun in the sea or on a lake. If you are looking for an inflatable tube for all the family, we have two awesome options.
Today, we are going to look at the Big Mable vs Big Betty from Airhead. We will look at all of their features such as the quality of the materials used and the ease of use. We will include a comparison chart for a quick overview. To help with the final decision, we have some pros and cons too.
There are a number of things in common between the Big Mable and the Big Betty, so we will start here.
Big Mable vs Big Betty – Similarities
Quick Glance
Here is a recap of the Big Mable and the Big Betty.
Size and Capacity
The Big Mable and the Big Betty are both 66 x 69 inches. They have a 1–2-person capacity with a maximum weight limit of 340 pounds. There are other purchasing options including a 1-3-person tube and a 1-4-person tube.
Maximum Speed Limits
Though many people use the Big Mable and the Big Betty for younger children, they are recommended for children over 13 years old. For children, the maximum speed limit is 15 miles per hour. For adults, it is 20 miles per hour.
Booster Ball Compatible
With the Booster Ball, the Big Mable and the Big Betty perform even better. With the Booster Ball, you will notice less drag and it will help to absorb shocks. You will also notice better fuel consumption. The Booster Ball is not included.
Tow Points
You can ride the Big Mable and the Big Betty sitting down facing the front or reversed in the chariot position. They have dual tow points, both with patented Kwik Connect tow points for fast, easy attachment.
Valves
The valves of the Big Mable and the Big Betty are patented Speed Safety Valves. These valves are great for fast inflation without any air escaping when the caps are put on. They are also quick to deflate just by removing the cap.
Let’s now go over the differences between the Big Mable and the Big Betty.
Differences Between Big Mable and Big Betty
Appearance
Although they are the same size, they look very different.
Big Mable
It’s quite a sporty tube in bright orange and yellow features. There are also black and white checkers on parts of the tube.
Big Betty
The bright orange is the same, but the seating area is blue. It also has black and white checkers.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – Big Mable vs Airhead Mach: Which Rider Towable Tubes are Better?
Materials
There are two parts to the towable tubes, the inner bladder and the covers.
Big Mable
The bladder is made of heavy-gauge PVC. Covering the entire bladder is a heavy-duty, double-stitched nylon cover.
Big Betty
The same heavy-gauge PVC is used for the bladder. It also has a full cover, which is made of tough 840 denier nylon. For added comfort, there is EVA padding.
Read next – Big Mable vs Chariot Warbird: Which Rider Towable Tubes are Better?
Seat Dividers
Cushioned seat dividers help to put a little space between the riders so they don’t knock into each other in choppier water.
Big Mable
There are no seat dividers with this tube.
Big Betty
The 1-2-person rider has one seat divider. The larger models have more, depending on the maximum number of riders.
The Winner Is- The Big Betty
Read next – Big Mable vs Super Mable: Which Rider Towable Tube is Better?
Handles
Handles are placed in the seat, the inside of the tube and on the top, so you can safely hold on regardless of the position you are sitting in.
Big Mable
It has 7 neoprene handles in total.
Big Betty
You get 8 handles to choose from.
The Winner Is- The Big Betty
Read next – Big Mable vs Big Brawler: Which Towable Boat Tubes are Better?
Value for Money
Both of the towable tubes come with a 1-year limited warranty. There is quite a big difference in price.
Big Mable
Overall, this tube is excellent value for money at the lower end of the average for a 1-2-person tube.
Big Betty
It’s still good value but depending on offers, you might be looking at $50 to $100 more.
The Winner Is- The Big Mable
Pros and Cons
Next, we will look at some pros and cons of the Big Mable and the Big Betty.
Big Mable
- It’s a fair bit cheaper with the same quality
- Extremely well made with good quality materials
- It feels a little bit safer and less likely to dive
Cons:
- You might have to put some more air in during a long day of use
Big Betty
Pros:
- The seats are really comfortable
- Nice padding for your knees in the chariot position
- The divider really helps to prevent you from knocking into the other rider
Cons:
- Questionable durability due to some cases of air leaks
The Final Verdict
There was one massive advantage of the Big Betty and that was the seat divider. However, we also found a disadvantage to this. When using the Big Betty with only one rider, you have to sit to the left or the right, whereas in the Big Mable, you can sit anywhere and for a single rider, this makes it slightly more balanced. If the Big Betty had been the same price, it would have been the better buy. We preferred the Big Mable because of the great value, strong materials and safe, fun ride.